Probiotics Enhance Broiler Chicken Growth and Health: A Study on Optimal Supplementation Levels

Title: Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Probiotics on Growth Performance and Health of Broiler Chickens

Abstract:

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of probiotics on growth performance and health of broiler chickens. A total of 240 one-day-old broiler chickens were randomly divided into four groups, each with three replicates. The control group was fed a basal diet, while the experimental groups were fed the same basal diet supplemented with different levels of probiotics (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%). The results showed that dietary supplementation of probiotics significantly improved the growth performance of broiler chickens, as evidenced by increased body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and carcass yield. Moreover, the probiotics supplementation significantly reduced the mortality rate and incidence of diarrhea in broiler chickens. The blood biochemical parameters and histological examination of liver and kidney showed no significant difference between the control and experimental groups, indicating that the probiotics supplementation did not cause any adverse effects on the health of broiler chickens. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of probiotics can improve the growth performance and health of broiler chickens, and the optimal level of probiotics supplementation is 0.2%.

Keywords: broiler chickens, probiotics, growth performance, health, dietary supplementation

Introduction:

Broiler chickens are one of the most important sources of animal protein for human consumption worldwide. However, the intensive farming practices used in the poultry industry have led to various health problems, such as bacterial infections, digestive disorders, and immune system dysfunction, which can affect the growth performance and health of broiler chickens. Therefore, there is a need for alternative strategies to improve the growth performance and health of broiler chickens.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can confer health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts. Probiotics can improve the gut microbiota composition, enhance the immune system, and promote the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Several studies have shown that dietary supplementation of probiotics can improve the growth performance and health of broiler chickens. However, the optimal level of probiotics supplementation for broiler chickens is still unclear.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 240 one-day-old broiler chickens were obtained from a commercial hatchery and randomly divided into four groups, each with three replicates. The control group was fed a basal diet, while the experimental groups were fed the same basal diet supplemented with different levels of probiotics (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%). The probiotics used in this study were a mixture of three strains of Lactobacillus (L. acidophilus, L. casei, and L. plantarum) and two strains of Bifidobacterium (B. bifidum and B. lactis). The experimental period lasted for six weeks.

The growth performance of broiler chickens was evaluated by measuring the body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. The health status of broiler chickens was evaluated by monitoring the mortality rate and incidence of diarrhea. Blood samples were collected from the wing vein of broiler chickens at the end of the experimental period for the determination of blood biochemical parameters, including total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, AST, ALT, and creatinine. The liver and kidney tissues were collected for histological examination.

Results:

The results showed that dietary supplementation of probiotics significantly improved the growth performance of broiler chickens. The body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were significantly higher in the probiotics-supplemented groups than in the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, the probiotics supplementation significantly reduced the mortality rate and incidence of diarrhea in broiler chickens (p<0.05).

The blood biochemical parameters showed no significant difference between the control and experimental groups, indicating that the probiotics supplementation did not cause any adverse effects on the health of broiler chickens. The histological examination of liver and kidney showed no significant difference between the control and experimental groups.

Conclusion:

Dietary supplementation of probiotics can improve the growth performance and health of broiler chickens, and the optimal level of probiotics supplementation is 0.2%. Probiotics can be used as an alternative strategy to improve the growth performance and health of broiler chickens in the poultry industry. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of action of probiotics and to optimize the probiotics formulation for broiler chickens.